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Deacon DavidClaudeMacNamara, who was born September 21,1924 the son of Gerald and Elizabeth MacNamara in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, passed away Saturday, May 11th at St. Vincent's Hospice in the company of his loving family. He was 88 years old.

A Marine who served in WWII, David graduated from St. Joseph's College in Philadelphia. He transferred to Jacksonville in 1960 with State Farm Insurance Company. He moved on to become the founding Director of the Greater Jacksonville-Duval County Safety Council and went on to serve as the first Council Secretary to the new, consolidated Jacksonville-Duval County City Council. He later became the Public Safety Director for the city. From 1975 to 1979 he served as the Assistant Secretary of State for the State of Florida.

David was ordained a Deacon in the Roman Catholic Church in 1980, the same year he became Vice-Chancellor of the Diocese of St. Petersburg.
"Deacon Dave" returned to Jacksonville in 1989 to resume his public service as Statewide Safety Coordinator for the Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services until his retirement.

Following his retirement he served as Chaplain at various places, continuing his ministry until only just a few short months ago. He volunteered as the Chaplain at Christ the King School, the Jacksonville - Duval County School Board, St Catherine Laboure, All Saints Home and St Vincent's Hospital.

An active Rotary member, David was a Paul Harris Fellow and the founding President of three Rotary Clubs throughout the state. David hosted a public affairs television show called "First Amendment" in both Tallahassee and Jacksonville for over two decades. He served for five years as the editor of the Florida Catholic newspaper. He founded the very successful Mary Singleton Society for Peace and Justice and for years ran its annual breakfast to raise educational scholarship money for minority children in need of financial assistance for education. David taught classes at Christ the King Catholic School, Bishop Kenny High School, Jones College and Jacksonville University.

He served on many Boards and Commissions and was the only Floridian ever to be appointed by three consecutive Governors spanning an uninterrupted 20 year period of volunteer dedication to the state. He was a member of various local Boards including Edward Waters College, the North Florida Ministerial Association and the Northeast Florida Aids Network. He has been recognized by the Jacksonville Blood Alliance for donated over 200 gallons of blood during his lifetime.

David is survived by his devoted wife Mary of over 63 years, a brother Richard MacNamara of Miami and sister-in-laws Margaret Pollock and Kathryn Donze both of Philadelphia as well as 33 nephews and nieces.

David is also survived by (and his wife Mary will be comforted by) his seven children: his daughter Mary Lynn Heekin and her husband Rob, his daughter Marty Heekin and her husband Jim, his son Stephen MacNamara and his wife Dr. Liberty Taylor, his daughter Sharon Fechtel and her husband Dr. Doug Fechtel, his daughter Leslie Sares and her husband Jack, his daughter LeeAnn Heekin and her husband Patrick and his daughter Claudia Darnell as well as 22 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.

A Memorial Mass will be held at 2:00 pm on Friday, May 17th at Christ the King Catholic Church, 742 Arlington Road. The family will receive visitors beginning at 1:00 pm at the church. No burial will take place as David donated his body to the Florida Anatomical Board for use in statewide medical schools. A reception for family and friends will follow immediately in the Christ the King Parish Hall.

In lieu of flowers, the family would ask for donations to be made in the memory of DavidMacNamara to any of the following organizations:
Christ the King Catholic School, Bishop Kenny High School or the Community Hospice at St. Vincent Hospital.

He will be truly missed by his entire family and his legions of friends and admirers. May he rest in peace!

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Mike, Mark and I are very sorry to hear about Uncle Dave's passing. Please find comfort with how much he was loved and respected. May he now rest in peace, and of course, be laughing with Mom again.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you
all.
Love, Mike, Mark & Beth

Posted by: Beth Terry Koletty - Warrington, PA - Niece May 14, 2013

I can see his smile , sparkling , as we swam in the ocean. Uncle Dave , Dick , my dad , and I.kexbi

Posted by: paul mac namara - elgin, TX - nephew May 13, 2013

Myself, along with the staff of Arlington Park Funeral Home, wish to extend our deepest sympathy at this difficult time.